Imurj Look: “Contemplation”

Meleah Gabhart is an artist specializing in wooden sculptures. Meleah’s work of art, “Contemplation”, is on exhibit in the Imurj Main Gallery exhibit, MONO a MONO. Meleah discusses her inspirations, her artwork, and her creative process.

Q: How would you describe yourself & your artistic style?

A: I’m a self starting, break-the-rules when necessary, creative person. I have a strong, direct, fluid emotional style while using a medium that is rigid and two dimensional. I love the challenge.

Q: How would you describe your art/piece that is on exhibit at Imurj?

A: Contemplation is a piece I worked on when I was also doing a ton of work on myself. That crouched figure with head bowed speaks of pausing to process the moment. She might have lost this battle but her powerful energy says she’s winning the war.

Q: What’s the process of making your work?

A: I draw, draw, draw. First a small charcoal sketch, then a fully developed drawing. Then I create the full scale drawing. Each piece of the drawing is then sketched onto wood – mindful of the grain and texture – and cut with a band saw. I use raw wood – not dimensional lumber sourced from Orange County. Each piece is then sanded and sealed and individually affixed onto the back support.

Q: Does local Raleigh/NC culture inspire or influence your art?

A: Of course. I moved to NC when I was 16 and most of my life experiences happened on this ground.

Q: Why do you love what you do?

A: I don’t know really. Pulling a concept out of the air, out of my mind where it’s just an idea… and giving it beautiful form…gets me out of bed each day.